Not all estate plans start in a crisis. Some people are motivated to create one when they experience a health scare, start a new business venture, grow their investment portfolio or form a blended family. At that point, the question is about how professional estate planning services compare to DIY options.
For those with a financial background, it's a question of risk. Beyond price, factors like legal durability, potential tax exposure and the ability to maintain control are also relevant.
Why Estate Planning Errors Carry Real Financial Consequences
Estate planning is a low priority for many people, who consider it an optional expense. According to a 2024 Caring.com survey, only 32% of American adults have a will. This represents a 6% decline from 2023 and is the first time the rate has decreased since 2020. Among those without a will, 40% stated they did not believe they had enough assets to justify creating one.
The belief that you only need a will if you're wealthy often creates misunderstandings. Estate planning isn’t based on your net worth. Most notably, it determines medical decision-makers, property administration and how assets transfer under state law.
Where there is no valid will, the state intestacy statute governs the results, which may cause lengthy, expensive and undesired probate proceedings. For families with investments, retirement accounts or business interests, the consequences of a drafting error can create administrative complications or operational disruptions.
The Appeal of DIY Estate Planning
Online estate planning programs remain popular because they address issues of cost and accessibility. Most DIY systems guide the user through a questionnaire, which they then use to generate standard documents. These systems are quick and do not require the person to go to an office. A template may suffice for a person of modest means, with no dependents and simple objectives.
The structure itself provides momentum, keeping the user motivated throughout the process. While that momentum can be valuable, convenience and completeness are not the same thing. Templates are generally incomplete because they do not cover multi-state real estate, multi-retirement accounts with different beneficiary designations or variations in state-specific requirements. These problems become more acute as net worth rises.
Where DIY Planning Introduces Hidden Risk
Before comparing service-level models, it is helpful to examine where online solutions encounter the most friction. Estate law requirements vary by state, with trust funding being asset-specific. Wills may also need to consider retirement accounts with properly designated beneficiaries.
Even a good DIY plan can go wrong when:
● The witness requirements are not followed.
● The revocable trust is never funded.
● Coordination with other corporate planning documents is not required.
● Health care directives contain language that is unenforceable under state statutes.
Official estate tax exemptions and other estate tax regulations vary and may change. A static template cannot anticipate legislative shifts or automatically adjust to updated thresholds or statutory revisions.
Ultra-high-net-worth families don’t conduct estate planning in isolation. It often involves a combination of tax planning, asset protection strategies and intergenerational wealth transfer.
What Professional Estate Planning Services Provide
Professional estate planners tend to look for context rather than documents. An attorney will typically review asset titling, beneficiary designations, family relationships and other information before preparing estate planning documents and coordinating with financial, tax and other advisors. The objective is not only to create written documents but also to establish a legal structure for the client's intentions.
Professional services include consultations about compliance with state statutes, financial planning, tax-related advice, estate and trust structures, and devices that are designed to reduce the likelihood of disputes among beneficiaries. In addition, periodic financial reviews allow a person's estate plan to be updated to accommodate changes in the law or life circumstances.
Business owners and blended or extended families often use this type of structured planning process. Those who own real property in more than one jurisdiction may address multi-state administrative considerations through coordinated planning.
Is Professional Estate Planning Worth the Cost?
DIY platforms cost less, while professionals charge more for planning. However, looking at those numbers in isolation can be misleading.
In the United States, the median household net worth is $192,900, according to the Federal Reserve's most recent survey of consumer finances. For a family close to that threshold, legal costs can drain a significant portion of their lifetime resources. What looks like a few thousand dollars in drafting costs can be inconsequential when you account for what administrative or legal expenses may arise from incomplete or ambiguous documents.
People must also consider the tax implications. The IRS sets a high threshold for the federal estate tax exemption, which changes periodically. For estates approaching the threshold or for closely held businesses, inefficient structuring may affect overall transfer outcomes.
Professional estate planning is often described as an insurance policy for risk management. Drafting costs can seem substantial in the short term. However, long-term clarity, tax coordination and smoother administration are commonly cited as potential benefits of coordinated legal planning.
How Do Professional Estate Planning Services Compare to DIY Options?
The decision about whether to try DIY or seek a professional's help depends on multiple factors. People with simple assets, no dependents and minimal tax exposure frequently use DIY options. Sometimes they are seen as a stopgap or limited personal finance strategy.
Professional estate planning services are one option for families with significant liquid assets, minor children or business assets. They are also considered in situations involving potential estate tax exposure, since these services include documentation, financial strategies and updates to the law.
As estate sizes increase, mistakes become more serious. Planning involves not only the division of a person's estate upon death, but also who will make decisions when a person cannot.
For those with a finance background or who consider themselves knowledgeable enough to carry out their estate plan as intended, professional planning may provide reassurance that they haven't missed any minor details that could become significant issues after their death.
Strategy Matters
Ultimately, the choice between DIY options and professional estate planning services will depend on individuals' structures, risk tolerance and legacy objectives. Consider the existing portfolio, future exposure and family situation.
As estate planning needs grow, professionals are positioned to address complex assets and long-term objectives. Even people with a modest net worth may evaluate the potential advantages of structured legal oversight rather than relying solely on templates. For example, some firms, such as Crow Estate Planning & Probate, offer services designed to integrate legal documents with financial goals.
The firm avoids boilerplate templates by developing customized plans that coordinate assets and account for tax implications. This approach emphasizes state compliance and provides clear guidance to executors. A good plan clearly states the distribution of assets, clarifies decision-making authority and supports long-term administrative order for beneficiaries.
